Thanksgiving Break(down)

Three months. Over the 18 years of my life, this is the longest consecutive time I have spent away from home. Making the switch to living at college allows for quite a few great new experiences; however, it simultaneously causes you to miss the changes and events that you’d undergo at home. Consequently, I paid close attention to the occurrences at home during my break, with a slightly heightened appreciation for them. Before I left for break, I figured I could record some of my “characteristic” family encounters throughout the upcoming week with this assignment in mind. And as soon as I got home, the blog wrote itself. Enjoy these moments from break.

My sister is super into yoga, and often practices handstands. First day back, she recruited the family for handstand pushups in the kitchen, using the door to the basement as a support. Immediately it becomes a competition, trying to outdo the other siblings. Like always though, our dad showed us all up.

Since soon after my parents built the house in ’94, my mom has wanted to remodel the kitchen. Twenty-three years later, shortly after I left for college, the process began. But when I say began, I mean only that. My dad started to open up the space: knocked down a wall and remove the counter tops, but stopped there. Now we have a plywood countertop covered in glue and a couple holes in the kitchen floor. If you put something hot on the countertop, it melts the glue and sticks to the counter… but on the bright side, we don’t need cutting boards anymore!

The new kitchen (ft. my dad and brother during Family Lunge Night)

Thanksgiving was spent with the family at the lake. After the heated midday scavenger hunt, preparations began. Thanksgiving dinner for 30 requires contributions from the whole family, whether it’s peeling potatoes, taking a shift of washing dishes, or helping set the three dinner tables. After dinner and cleanup, we dug into the immense pile of desserts: cookie cake, cupcakes, chocolate ganache cake, and the assortment of 9 pies. My aunts and I finished the night off with a game of Taboo before scouting for the warmest places in the cabin to sleep.

This past week, my mother celebrated her 50th birthday. Although if she had her way, all we would do to celebrate is pickup trash along the road, my dad planned a nice evening for her with the family. We met some of my aunts, cousins, and mom’s friends for dinner. As per usual, we were large in number, so divided among two long tables, we talked laughed and celebrated my mom. Afterward, my dad had organized for many of us to attend a show at the Benedum Center downtown, Motown the Musical. He wanted it to be a surprise, so he hadn’t consulted my mom. All the credit to my father for his effort and execution of her birthday celebration. With that said, unknown to him; my mother, sister, brother, and I had seen the exact show a couple years prior on a trip to NYC. Don’t be fooled, we hardly ever attend shows, it just so happened that he picked the exact one. Of course, we saw it for a second time and loved it just as much.

These are just a few of the many little things that happened within my family during Thanksgiving break. Much of this occurs daily at home. I love living at school and am very happy here. Nevertheless, I look forward to meeting back up with my family and rejoining the harmless dysfunction whenever I can.

8 thoughts on “Thanksgiving Break(down)

  1. I find this post so adorable and heartwarming. I love how you noticed these things when you were home. At one point it was completely normal, but when you’re gone for a long time, it’s easy to forget what your family does on a daily basis. This post made me really happy, your family seems so fun! I’m glad you had such a fun and busy Thanksgiving break.

  2. I love this post so much! The pictures you have added really show the fun and energetic side of your family! The stories you wrote about remind me of my own amazing and dysfunctional family too, causing a slight feeling of homesickness. Just like you, I love living here at school and Penn State has really become like a second home to me. Nonetheless, there is nothing quite like being in your family home surrounded by the people that raised you. Love it!

  3. Katie this blog was absolutely hilarious. I am so glad you were able to get back and see your family again after such a long time. The way that you framed the encounters with your family is so funny. I am sure you have a new found appreciation for all of the weird, hilarious, and sometimes puzzling actions of those that we love. I can particularly relate to the kitchen remodel and what its like to be in the construction process. This unique time allows for some innovative practices in cooking. I hope your next break will be as fun as the last!

  4. I am just like you and the longest I have been away from home was three months and was definitely happy to be back home. Your Thanksgiving sounds very exciting with many family members, and I hope you have an even better holiday break!

  5. I loved the joyful and creative way to enjoy Thanksgiving! I particularly love flowers so on this day I always search for flowers names that have some spiritual meaning and buy and fill my house with flowers.

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